The Ledaig 11 Year Old 2008 TWB Originals 1st Fill Oloroso Hogshead (54.4%)

50 ml secret stash in the ficus mini

Tasting notes:
There’s a hint of high octane on the nose–and by this, I mean a serious clean peat smell. But if you work on it some more, it’s really more vegetal in a way that peat would be if it were trying to hide in the pot for your ficus plant and not get thrown into the woodburning stove. In other words, as it goes on, the peat becomes a bit elusive. There are also bright notes of pineapple mixed with mango that seethe out from underneath the peat.

The mouth is thin in terms of viscosity, but balanced and bright in terms of flavor–and chaotic good in terms of alignment. Then comes the bright burn on the tongue–there’s that high octane! There’s a caramel chew to it, especially as you work it around on your tongue, even more so if you work it around on your tongue with a caramel. But then come notes of serious high octane of a different sort: peat used to make jet fuel, or perhaps just the stuff used in the afterburner (I don’t understand how fighter planes actually work). The effect is cleansing, powerful, and terribly attractive.

The finish burns high and bright both on the tongue and the top of the mouth, resonating in a high register like a choir of children singing angelic hymns. Wow, the finish is really lovely, albeit of a medium length. One prefers this kind of finish to go on forever. Alas.

 
 

Rating:
On the scale of things I did not know before I went to look them up in the midst of writing a review–

The Ledaig 11 Year Old 2008 TWB Originals 1st Fill Oloroso Hogshead is how afterburners work–Really cool, actually: fuel is introduced after the turbine so the engine can achieve extra thrust. So a) one could theoretically use the super clean peat in this dram to fuel an afterburner, and b) it’s clear that comparing this dram to an afterburner is especially apt. Extra thrust indeed!

   

   

                                                 –Stephen

   

   

–Our thanks to The Whisky Barrel for the sample!

 
 

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